Art takes shape in playful exhibition (From Stroud News and Journal)

Art takes shape in playful exhibition

AN exhibition by two South West artists opens at Prema in Uley this weekend.

In the showcase downstairs is a playful exhibition entitled Bacon 'n' Eggs, by Stroud artist Hannah Mattison.

It shows the life cycle of the flying pig and introduces big, scary birds - all created from found junk, papier mach and other bits and bobs.

Hannah has been based in Gloucestershire for most of her life and studied Fine Art Sculpture at Cheltenham College, leaving with a first class honours degree.

The bulk of her work takes its inspiration from artists such as Jean Tinguely and Heath Robinson.

Hannah's sense of the ridiculous is very much prevalent in her work, which is proving to be as popular as ever.

In the red room and upstairs, works by Harriet Houston will be on display.

Harriet Houston is a self-taught artist who lives and works in Bristol. Her paintings are inspired by beauty in the environment, which is sometimes fleeting or even absent.

A series of paintings with metal butterflies reflect the decreasing diversity of butterflies in our urban environments.

The blackened metal skeletons represent the memory of the butterfly and the delicate silk spots denote the colour and form of such creatures being blown away.

The exhibition runs from Saturday, April 16 to May 28.

Hannah Mattison will also be running a workshop, Sculpture for Scavengers, on Friday, June 3. Call 01453 860703 for more information or to book your place.